Have you ever started to do something on your computer and the “User Account Control Settings” window pops up? I am sure you have. And the geek in me refers to it as “UAC,” for obvious reasons. UAC stands for User Account Control, and it is a security feature implemented in Microsoft Windows, starting from Windows Vista (late in 2006). The purpose of UAC is to prevent unauthorized changes to the system settings and protect the computer from malware attacks.
When UAC is enabled, it will prompt the user for confirmation before allowing any program or user to make changes that affect system settings. Or even allowing something to modify files in certain protected locations. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and changes to critical system components that could potentially harm the system’s stability.
Here are some key things you should know about UAC and how to use it effectively.
First, UAC is enabled by default in Windows, but it can be disabled or adjusted in the Control Panel under User Accounts and Family Safety. Or you may click on the start Icon and type, “UAC” and then click on, “Change User Account Control Settings.”
It is recommended to keep UAC enabled for maximum security. I personally, set mine at the highest level. This will help me to know when anything is installed on my computer. Some, I may want, but others that automatically try to set themselves up on occasion — I may want to stop.
When UAC is enabled, you will see prompts asking for your permission when attempting to perform certain actions that require administrative privileges. Like things such as installing software, changing system settings, or modifying files in protected locations.
UAC is an effective defense against malware attacks that attempt to modify critical system settings or files. If you receive a UAC prompt for an action that you did not initiate, it may be a sign of a malware infection and should be investigated immediately. The level of UAC that you should choose depends on your personal preference and the level of security you want to maintain on your computer.
There are four different levels of UAC notification that you can choose from, each with varying degrees of protection. I use the highest level, but that is my choice. You can select your amount of protection per your needs and needs.
First, and the most protective level is, “Always notify,” and this is what I set my computer to. This is the highest level of UAC protection. You will be notified every time a program tries to make changes to your computer, even if you are logged in as an administrator.
The next level is, “Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer.” This level of UAC protection is recommended for most users. You will only be notified when an application tries to make changes to your computer.
“Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop).” This level of UAC protection is the same as the previous level, except that the screen will not be dimmed when you receive a UAC prompt.
“Never notify” is your final choice. This level of UAC protection should only be used if you have a good reason to disable UAC, such as compatibility issues with older applications. However, it is not recommended to disable UAC for security reasons.
In general, it is recommended to choose the second option, “Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer”, as it provides a good balance between security and convenience. However, if you are particularly concerned about security, like me, you may want to choose the first option, “Always notify”.
